Not necessarily a password gimmick. When I recently got a new box with Vista 64 I had the boot drive fail after an auto-update scenario before I could get around (trouble finding with all the unnecessary changes to where things were located and what they were called and interpreting instructions on how to turn things off in Vista) to turning off the automatic updates feature. I don't allow anything automatic with any version of Windows, never have. I always do updates manually.
I had to send the 7 day old box back for service, would not boot, a blank black screen. I think, if I remember correctly, it installed software or driver updates to the MOBO that precipitated (along with some other issues no doubt) the complete failure of the system. It all happened so fast it was like watching a car accident in slow motion and being unable to do anything about it. Totally insane.
I have also noticed that updates occur differently on Vista than with XP. After the updates are downoaded I reboot, as the shutdown phase is occurring it takes maybe 20 to 30 seconds longer than usual and a screen appears showing certain aspects of the downloaded patches being executed (? I'm guessing here). As the the machine is booting up another screen appears telling me it's configuring something ( The updates, Malicious Tool process?). That normally takes another 20 to 30 seconds or less and then on to the desktop.
You have to be patient while this stuff is happening. Vista's functional response are slower/different from XP's, at least that's been my experience.
Many people have no problems with auto updates, I've never had anything but problems with it (Vista or XP).
My 8 step mantra for Vista:
1. Make sure your the Administrator
2. Turn off Defender
3. Turn off UAC
4. Turn off Aero
5. Turn off Automatic Updates
6. Turn off Indexing
7. Turn off System Restore (Optional - depends on how "lucky" your
feeling.
8. Shut down the Security Center.
(As gleened from others who know significantly more about these things than I do)
I'm down to 29 (so far) Processes at start up and running "stock" FSX Accel at 60 FPS most situations with high slider settings, 1% or less variation in the countryside, 3% or so variation in city settings. (Everyone's mileage will vary.)
I use my home PC's for FS and FS related activities only. No surfing pron sights, no on line banking, no business related activities, no ripping/burning of discs, no digital photography stuff, no need for 75% of the bloatware that Vista would run if I let it.
Again, these are my experiences only, with Vista I had to take charge or it would run roughshod all over me. It doesn't seem to be interested in working with you regardless of what the ads imply. Hopefully this will be corrected when they update Vista to Win7.